Composition for the Digital Age - Hub

Social Issues

Many times media coverage on an issue isn't informative. Sometimes the coverage is done for a certain effect (outrage, shock, sympathy, etc.)

Review the resources in this section before completing the assignment.

1. Select a current issue in the media (environment; separation of church and state; energy; gas prices; housing; economy; domestic terrorism; teen pregnancy; marriage equality; pay equity for women and minimum wage; etc.)

2. Read 3-4 articles on the issue (remember where you found them so you can cite them later). Take notes, including title, author, source, facts about the issue, and how the author intends for the audience to react.

3. Watch 2 TV shows on the issue. Try searching through Hulu, ABC.com or others. If you have a Netflix account then you may have even more options. Take notes, including title, characters, plot, how the issue is presented, how the issue is resolved, and intended audience reaction.

4. Watch a tabloid show (Entertainment Tonight, Insider, Hollywood Tonight, TMZ, etc.) that references the issue. Take notes, including title, how the issue is presented, and intended audience reaction.

5. Watch a movie on this issue. Hulu, Free Documentary, Movies Found Online, Top Documentary Films and Netflix all stream movies legally. Take notes, including title, characters, plot, how the issue is presented, director's view of the issue, how the issue is handled in real life, and how the issue is resolved.

6. Listen to a song on the issue. If you're writing about a topic you're interested in then hopefully you already have access to a relevant song. Take notes, including title, artist, how the issue is presented, and the message of the song.

7. Combine all of the information into a 4-6 page paper (include a works cited page). The paper should trace the presentation of a current issue in various media. Address the following questions (you may want to consider writing roughly a page on each of them):

• How much factual information is given about the issue?
• How does the media try to influence personal opinions?
• How ethical is the presentation of current issues?
• Why would the media want to misrepresent a social issue?

(If you are unable to find information about your topic in one section; such as TV/movies/tabloids,you should add an extra article instead.) Remember: you're focusing on the media's handling of the issue and how ethical/responsible/accurate/truthful they are not on the issue itself. Seriously, I can't stress that enough. THIS IS NOT A REPORT ON AN ISSUE. This is a critique of how well the media objects you select represent the issue.

8. At the end of your submission, skip a few lines and assign yourself a grade. Why do you think that you've earned that grade? Is there a part of your submission which could be improved?

Copy/Paste your submission below, or type in Google Docs and share the link with me below. Make certain that you have sharing set to allow anyone with the link to view.

You may discuss your progress and topics in the Social Issues & The Media Discussion Forum.

Back to Unit 4: Social Issues & The Media Summary